Evaluation of blood adiponectin levels as an index for subacute ruminal acidosis in cows: a preliminary study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate blood levels of various hormones and compounds related to energy metabolism in cows with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). We investigated 11 lactating cows presumed to have SARA based on duration of ruminal pH <5.6 and reticulum pH <6.3 in 2015-2016. Kraft pulp (KP) was used to supplement feed of 7 of the cows studied in an effort to reduce SARA. We continuously monitored ruminal pH and measured blood concentrations of hormones and metabolites related to energy metabolism. Blood measurements included glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFA), insulin, adiponectin (ADN), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Additionally, we analyzed milk data (milk yield, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, milk urea nitrogen, and protein fat ratio) and reproduction data. The results demonstrated that ADN levels at 4 weeks post-parturition correlated with the total amount of time that the ruminal or reticulum fluid pH was under the threshold during 1 week post-parturition, as well as the numbers of days the cows were diagnosed with SARA (SARA-positive days) up to 30 days post-parturition. SARA-positive days in 2016 were higher than those in 2015. In both years, numbers of SARA-positive days for cows supplemented with KP were lower than those for cows without KP. Increased ADN levels may be a compensatory reaction to frequent SARA which modulates the inflammatory response against high LPS levels and improves insulin resistance caused by LPS. ADN may serve as an estimative index for SARA.

A Laboratory Diagnostic Approach to Hepatobiliary Disease in Small Animals.

Routine biochemical tests generally include serum enzymes, proteins, and other markers useful for identifying hepatobiliary disease in dogs and cats. Obtaining results outside the reference intervals can occur with direct hepatocellular injury, enzyme induction by hepatocytes or biliary epithelium, or decreased hepatic function. However, detection of biochemical abnormalities does not necessarily indicate clinically significant disease. For a comprehensive approach to detection and treatment of hepatobiliary disease, the laboratory results must be correlated with the history and physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging results, and other assays.

Diagnosis of Small Intestinal Disorders in Dogs and Cats.

Laboratory tests are an important part of the workup of small intestinal diseases in dogs and cats. Especially in chronic cases, when extragastrointestinal causes need to be ruled out, it is important to adhere to a systematic workup. This article details the newest available data on tests to aid this diagnostic process. Once the diagnosis of a chronic enteropathy is made, there are many laboratory tests that can help in monitoring the disease and providing prognostic information. Several new tests being evaluated for clinical usefulness are discussed.

Effect of enteric biopsy closure orientation on enteric circumference and volume of saline needed for leak testing.

This study describes the effect of enteric biopsy closure orientation on circumference and volume of saline needed for leak testing. There were significant differences in circumference measurements at baseline, central circumference of longitudinally closed sites, and volume of saline for leak testing.

Effet de l'orientation de la fermeture de la biopsie entérique sur la circonférence entérique et le volume de solution saline requis pour l'essai d'étanchéité. Cette étude décrit l'effet de l'orientation de la fermeture de la biopsie entérique sur la circonférence et le volume de solution saline requis pour l'essai d'étanchéité. Il y avait des différences importantes dans les mesures de la circonférence pour les données de référence, la circonférence centrale des sites fermés longitudinalement et le volume de solution saline pour l'essai d'étanchéité.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Causes of vomiting in dogs and usefulness of clinical investigations.

OBJECTIVE: To find the most common diagnoses of dogs where vomiting was the main reason for referral and to determine the usefulness of various diagnostic investigations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 213 dogs referred for vomiting as main or one of the main causes were analysed retrospectively. Diagnosis was reassessed and categorized into six groups, namely gastrointestinal, systemic, non-gastrointestinal abdominal, neurological, miscellaneous or no diagnosis. All diagnostic investigations were reviewed to assess their usefulness to reach a diagnosis. The usefulness of a diagnostic investigation was scored into the following four groups: enabled a diagnosis; assisted a diagnosis; no assistance, diagnosis reached by another procedure; no assistance, no final diagnosis made. RESULTS: In 203 dogs (95.3%) a diagnosis was reached and was categorised as gastrointestinal (43.7%), systemic (27.7%), non-gastrointestinal abdominal (16.4%), neurological (1.4%) and miscellaneous (6.1%). Laboratory tests enabling or assisting a diagnosis as blood tests in 12.2%; 26.8%, as faecal analysis in 6.6%; 1.4%, as ultrasound in 5.2%; 17%, as cytology in 3.3%; 4.2%, as urinalysis in 2.3%; 9.9% and as radiographs in 1.9%; 8.5% of all cases. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was a high incidence of dogs referred for vomiting with non-gastrointestinal diseases. Amongst them, renal problems were most commonly seen, which emphasises the need to perform a urinalysis in most dogs with vomiting as major complaint. However, vomiting can be due to a large variety of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and no single problem seems to be much more common compared to other problems in a referral institution. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on this investigation it is not possible to clearly state a most useful single diagnostic test in dogs with emesis, however, it could clearly been shown that more than one test is often needed to reach a final diagnosis. This is important for owners to understand but also for referring veterinarians.

Lymphocyte blastogenic responses to food antigens in cats showing clinical symptoms of food hypersensitivity.

Three cats were diagnosed as having food hypersensitivity by food elimination and oral food provocation tests. Twelve allergenic food ingredients were identified by oral food provocation test in the 3 cats. Of the 12 food ingredients, 9 offending food antigens were shown to be positive in a lymphocyte stimulation test; however, none of them were positive in antigen-specific IgE testing, and only four food antigens were positive in intradermal testing. The stimulation indices in the lymphocyte stimulation tests for the 9 food ingredients were found to be decreased after the cats were fed elimination diets. The present study demonstrates that the lymphocyte stimulation test reflects an immunologic reaction involved in food hypersensitivity and can help identify allergenic food ingredients in feline food hypersensitivity.

Diagnóstico y manejo de la obesidad en perros: una revisión / Diagnosis and management of obesity in dogs: a review / Diagnóstico e manejo da obesidade em cães: revisão

La obesidad es definida como la acumulación excesiva de grasa en el tejido adiposo del cuerpo, que se corresponde con un consumo inadecuado de energía y proteína lo que ocasiona un balance positivo de energía. El sobrepeso y la obesidad afectan a cerca del 25% de los perros, su presentación puede variar entre el 20 y 45% de la población canina que visita los centros y clínicas veterinarias de varios países occidentales y de Australia y, por lo tanto, se leconsidera una enfermedad nutricional común en los animales de compañía (perros y gatos). Los factores de riesgorelacionados con la obesidad incluyen la genética, la raza, la edad, la actividad física, el tipo de alimento consumidoy la castración, entre otros. El objetivo de esta revisión es realizar una aproximación al problema de la obesidadde los perros y gatos, sus factores de riesgo y su manejo integral, además de proponer un método sencillo paraestablecer la cantidad de alimento a suministrar a cada paciente de acuerdo con su estado fisiológico.

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the adipose tissue of the body which results froman inappropriate consumption of energy and protein leading to a positive energy balance. Excess weight andobesity affect about 25% of dogs, a percentage that may vary between 20 and 45% of the dog populationpresenting for consultation in centers and veterinary clinics in several Western countries and Australia. Obesityis thus considered a nutritional disease common in companion animals (dogs and cats). Risk factors associatedwith obesity include genetics, breed, age, physical activity, the type of food consumed, and castration, amongstothers. This review intends to address the problem of obesity, its risk factors in dogs and cats and theircomprehensive management. Additionally, a simple procedure is proposed for establishing the precise quantity of daily food to be provided to each patient according to their physiological condition.

A obesidade é definida como acúmulo excessivo de gordura no tecido adiposo do corpo que resulta de um consumoinadequado de energia e proteína levando a um balanço energético positivo. O excesso de peso e a obesidade afetam cerca de 25% dos cães, sua apresentação pode variar entre 20 e 45% da população canina que visitam os centros eclínicas veterinárias em vários países ocidentais e na Austrália, por tanto, é considerada um desordem nutricionalcomum em animais de companhia (cães e gatos). Fatores de risco associados à obesidade incluem genética, raça,idade, atividade física, o tipo de alimento consumido, a castração, entre outros. O objetivo desta revisão é abordar o problema da obesidade em cães e gatos, seus fatores de risco e sua gestão integrada, além de propor um método simples para estabelecer a quantidade exata de alimento a ser oferecida para cada paciente de acordo com sua condição fisiológica.

Saline volume necessary to achieve predetermined intraluminal pressures during leak testing of small intestinal biopsy sites in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the volume of saline needed to achieve targeted intraluminal pressures during leak testing of closed jejunal biopsy sites in the dog. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=38). METHODS: Jejunal biopsies in dogs were performed and closed using 3-4 full thickness simple interrupted sutures. Saline volumes needed to achieve 2 predetermined intraluminal pressures (20 and 34 cm water [15 and 25 mmHg]) in a 10 cm canine jejunal segment containing a closed biopsy site using 2 methods of luminal occlusion were recorded. RESULTS: The 95% confidence intervals for the volume of saline needed to achieve 20 and 34 cm water intraluminal pressure were 10.9-13.6 and 16.3-19.0 mL, respectively with digital occlusion and 8.5-11.1 and 12.1-14.8 mL, respectively with Doyen occlusion. Correlation between volume of saline instilled and the pressure achieved was 0.76 for digital occlusion and 0.86 for Doyen occlusion. CONCLUSION: Correlation between volume of saline instilled and pressure achieved was greater with Doyen than digital occlusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For canine jejunum, saline volumes of 16.3-19 mL (digital occlusion) and 12.1-14.8 mL (Doyen occlusion) can be used to achieve intraluminal pressures of 34 cm water during leak testing of a 10 cm segment containing a closed biopsy site.